While most Cleveland Browns fans, including this one, have clamored loudly over recent weeks for big-name, impact LBs to solve perceived production deficiencies at the position---and became increasingly stimulated when the available population expanded---it is more likely vacant roster slots will be filled by veteran special-teamers, such as Rocky Boiman and Matt Stewart.
Stewart joined the Browns three years ago today, one of GM Phil Savage's first signees. The Vanderbilt product played previously for the Atlanta Falcons, who'd made him a fourth-round choice (102 overall) in 2001. Boiman was also taken in Round Four by a southeastern NFL ballclub, as Tennessee made the Notre Damer the 133rd overall selection in 2002.
Similarities don't end there. Both are Ohio natives in their late 20s and in the 6-3 240 range who bring a heady influence to the sport. While they may exhibit neither the measurables nor the spectacular, they are reliable, steady, versatile, coachable, instinctive, intelligent and quite likely to position themselves in the right spot at the right time.
The not-yet-29-year-old Stewart (6-3 240) attended Columbus DeSales High and started for the then-playoff caliber Falcons prior to his northern migration. He was on Cleveland's IR all of last season recovering from a training camp shoulder operation, most regrettably coming in his contract year. Now an UFA, it is unlikely his marketability has been enhanced by his injury. He knows the Browns' defensive system, is excellent in coverage---a distinct rarity among Cleveland LBs---and a solid pro and clubhouse guy who can play any of the four LB positions.
Cincinnati St. Xavier High's Boiman recently turned 28 and is 6-4 236, with Titan, Cowboy and Colt stickers on his luggage. Like Stewart, Rocky (not a nickname) is a bit light in the pants, so struggles to hold the point; but he totalled 32 'teams tackles during the '05-'06 campaigns and can get after the passer when asked to blitz.
Inasmuch as both Stewart and Boiman could be affordably appeased contractually while bringing quality depth and special-teams fortification---especially important now that Chaun Thompson has moved on to Houston in free agency---these could be the two LBs Savage signs to address his concerns among the critical positional unit.
It now seems sufficiently clear battered oldsters such as Jeremiah Trotter (31), Takeo Spikes (31), Brian Simmons (31), Kendrell Bell (30), Al Wilson (30), Rob Morris (33) and Rosevelt Colvin (31) hold little fascination for Savage, possibly due to financial and playing-time guarantees. One or more might yet come aboard---as might someone from among Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans or Kalimba Edwards, a decidedly pedestrian crop---the more likely scenario would embrace relatively-inexpensive, low-profile, comfortable fits like Stewart and Boiman.
This is especially expected because Savage is the type to display conviction (stubborness?) for his youthful 2006 draftees: second-rounder D'Qwell Jackson and fourth-rounder Leon Williams, both of whom should now be recognized as likely 2008 starters inside.
Consequently, when Savage is finally able to express his preferences on Draft Weekend (April 26-27)---he has previously dealt away picks in Rounds 1-3---collegiate ILBs are quite likely to seize his focus, with Vandy's Jonathon Goff a name to remember.
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Another position for which fans and followers are gripping is CB, particularly because venerable starter Leigh Bodden became part of the price tag on Lions' DL Shaun Rogers. Because the league is not inclined to part with starting-caliber assets at so key a spot, pickings are predicably slim. Fortunately, the Browns are not expecting to land anything more than a veteran depth piece, with 'teams ability possibly the deciding factor.
Three experienced former starters carrying similar profiles exist in Fernando Bryant (soon-to-be 31, 5-10 178, Alabama), Jeremetrius Butler (not yet 30, 5-10 185, Kansas State) and Andre Dyson (29, 5-10 183, Utah). Bryant is a former number-one pick by JAX. Butler is the most familiar producing off-the-bench. But Dyson is the most complete player, particularly when it comes to tackling.
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That was an odd 36th birthday present SF extended one-time Browns' QB Trent Dilfer. He got his release.
Speaking of releases, Detroit has been quite generous when it comes to contributing to the league fairly-recent Day One draftees. RB Kevin Jones, DL Edwards and Rogers, QB Joey Harrington, WRs Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, as well as LBs Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman count as eight dispatched by third-year head coach Rod Marinelli.
In today's Detroit News, Mike O'Hara quotes Lions' QB Jon Kitna possibly explaining the rationale. When asked for his assessment of the various personnel adjustments, Kitna identified "leaders and people who want to be led" as the preference of the current regime.
That says it fairly well, no?
And the words don't exactly endorse Bryant or Butler, inasmuch as they, too, formerly donned the Honolulu Blue and Silver.
In fact, Detroit is very happy to have reconstructed its CB contingent with Bodden and Brian Kelly joining returnees Keith Smith and Travis Fisher. Kelly is part of an active pipeline following Marinelli from Tampa to Motown. Former Brown Kalvin Pearson is another, as is FS Dwight Smith and a collection of DL. Marinelli formerly coached the DL for the Bucs.
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Lehman's unremarkable career extends the surprisingly unspectacular list of former Oklahoma Sooners in the NFL. Lion RBs Steve Owens and Billy Sims were outstanding pros, as were Tampa's stellar Hall of Fame DE LeRoy Selmon and Cleveland RB/KR Greg Pruitt, certainly. But far more common are the professional failures emanating from Norman, an acknowledgement that is sure to result in hate mail for this messenger.
For every Pro Bowler like Dallas SS Roy Williams or RB Adrian Peterson there seems to be half a dozen celebrated Sooner collegians who become pro nonentities like CBs Derrick Strait, Andre Woolfolk and Antonio Perkins; LBs Brian Bosworth, Rocky Calmus, Torrance Marshall, Rod Shoate, Lance Mitchell, Jackie Shipp and Lehman; Ss Darrol Ray, Tony Peters, Brodney Pool, William Bartee and Gana Joseph; WRs Billy Brooks, Mark Clayton, Brandon Jones and Travis Wilson. Even the gloried Sooner RBs have underachieved, for the most part: Elvis Peacock, David Overstreet, Kenny King, Spencer Tillman, Steve Sewell, Joe Don Looney. Linemen Stockar McDougle, Rick Bryan, Keith Gary and the legendary Greg Roberts have done precious little to stem the inglorious tide.
While it might be argued as much could be said of many college football programs, that seems to be an awfully heavy list of highly-drafted, over-hyped prospects who've flopped on the NFL level from one storied campus.
Conversely, Ravens' NT Kelly Gregg has been a surprisingly effective pro and SF LB Brandon Moore is still someone I'd welcome into a Cleveland uniform.
One might contend three products of the state's unheralded Oklahoma State program---Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas and DT Kevin Williams---dwarf that lengthy list of NFL Sooners all by themselves. OL Jon Kolb, DT Jerry Sherk, FB Walt Garrison, DE/OLB Jason Gildon, CB Darrent Williams, RBs Terry Miller, Ernest Anderson and Tatum Bell are other illustrious former Cowboys to star on the professional level.
In fairness, the Stillwater campus has generated a pair of WR busts of epic proportion in Hart Lee Dykes and Rashaun Woods.
In summary, when it comes to drafting from the campus of Oklahoma, later is better than Sooner.
Read the complete post at http://www.xanga.com/MALeonard/647231678/boiman-and-stewart-for-lb-spots.html